DICRURINiE. 
This species is found in various parts of India. It is generally observed in small parties in the most dense and lofty 
jungles, “ where,” says Mr. Jerdon, “ it stations itself near the top of some lofty tree, whence it makes frequent short 
sallies after insects, exactly like the flycatcher, and returns generally to the same branch. It sings most charmingly, 
being only surpassed by the Gryllivora longicauda. Its food consists of various insects, both hard and soft winged.” 
It is found on elevated ground, even at an elevation of 4000 feet. 
C. cenea (Vieill.) N. Diet. Hist. Nat. ix. 586., Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. t. 176. — Dicrurus reratus Stepli. ; Chaptia muscipetoi'des Hodgs. 
Mel^enornis.* 
Bill short, with the culmen elevated, keeled, and curved to the tip, which is emarginated, the base 
broad, and the sides compressed towards the point ; the nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and partly con- 
cealed by a few weak bristles. Wings moderate, with the fourth, fifth, and sixth quills equal and 
longest. Tail long, and rounded at its end. Tarsi longer than the middle toe. Toes moderate, -with 
the outer toe as long as the inner one ; the hind toe strong, shorter than the middle one, and armed with 
a strong claw. 
The type of this division is peculiar to Western Africa. Its habits and manners have not yet been recorded. 
M. edolioides (Swains.) Birds of W. Afr. 1. 257. pi. 29 . 
Irena Horsf. f 
Bill long, strong, with the culmen elevated and much arched from the base to the tip, which is 
hooked and emarginated ; the sides compressed ; the nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and covered with 
rigid bristles and plumes. Wings moderate, with the first quill very short, and the third to the sixth 
nearly equal and longest. Tail moderate, and even at its end. Tarsi shorter than the middle toe, and 
covered with transverse scales. Toes rather short, the lateral ones unequal, and the outer one united 
at its base ; the clarvs small, curved, and weak. 
These birds arc found in the thickest forests and jungles of the continent of India and its Archipelago, especially 
those that are situated on elevated ground. They are usually seen in small parties of few individuals, or in pairs, on the 
most lofty trees, near their summits, seeking insects, and occasionally seizing them on the wing as they endeavour to 
escape ; at other times picking them from the bark of the trees. Various fruits and berries, also, form a portion of their 
food. “ The typical species,” says Mr. Jerdon, “ has a loud melloAV warble, that is frequently heard repeated, by which 
its presence is detected in the thick and umbrageous parts of the forest they inhabit.” 
1. I. puella (Lath.) Horsf. Zool. Res. pi. | 2. I. cyanogaster Vigors, Proc. Z. S. 1831. 97. 
* This genus was originally established by Mr. Swainson under the name of Melasoma (1837), which word, having been previously 
employed, was changed to the above by me in 1840. 
t Dr. Horsfield established this genus in 1820 {Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 153.). 
April, 1845. 
